Gavin Bazunu withdraws from Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Israel match

sportsSep 26, 202636658

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad for Sunday's UEFA Nations League fixture with Israel, releasing a statement saying "I feel it would be wrong to participate" because of the atrocities in the region. A scheduled training session was cancelled and players held a four-hour debate at their hotel, after which a majority voted to fulfil the fixture; Bazunu missed the afternoon session at Nagyerdei Stadion. In his statement Bazunu stressed his respect for teammates and management and said his stance was not against the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the killing of innocent people. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson said there may be more discussions among the players ahead of the match. The Israel Football Association confirmed only 150 tickets had been sold to its supporters and the FAI had previously barred sales to Republic of Ireland supporters, leaving the Nagyerdei Stadium likely to be largely empty from its 20,340 capacity. The squad and the FAI intend to wear black armbands in recognition of lives lost in the conflict and to make a significant donation to charity.

John Finn

@seanfionn.bsky.social

Gavin Bazunu statement on withdrawing from Ireland squad Ireland only has 2 goal keepers in squad EUFA regulations require 3

773h ago

marcphisto10

That's a magnificent statement by Bazunu. It should make a lot of people squirm, but unfortunately it won't.

Quoting this

Sophia Grene11

Great respect to this young man. I think many of us are proud of him and grateful to have at least one brave man of principle on the Irish team.

Ciarán Mc Mahon3

UEFA now has the chance to do the funniest thing - disqualify Ireland from the tournament #stopthegame

Philip O'Connor

@philipoconnor.bsky.social

The only only sportsman and the only real man among them, standing head and shoulders above the cowards in the squad, the coaching staff and the FAI. This is how simple it is to do the right thing.

A statement from Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu that says:

Representing my country means everything to me. I have the utmost respect for every single one of my team mates, the Manager, his staff and the Irish people.

However I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith and try my best to be a person of character and principle therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.

My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.

It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.

There are few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger and I strongly believe that this is one of them.

692h ago

Quoting this

Lilith Ferreyra-Carroll27

Ireland's greatest sports person. Proud of him.

Ed O’Loughlin

@edoloughlin.bsky.social

The offside rule in football: by virtue of where he is standing, refusing to play the team of a genocidal Israel, Gavin Bazunu has just played every other Irish squad member, the FAI, UEFA, and the Irish government, offside.

545h ago

Jules Boykoff

@julesboykoff.bsky.social

Courage in action ➡️ Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Buzunu issues a statement on his decision to withdraw from Ireland squad for tomorrow's match against Israel: "My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong." www.independent.ie/sport/soccer...

572h ago

Quoting this

Nathan Kalman-Lamb37

It is actually fairly shameful that his teammates were confronted with this concrete example of principle and yet chose to betray it and him anyway.

Zeroisanumber6

idk, I feel like if this were my teammate and he said this mattered to him I'd have also withdrawn from the match.

Resist 🕎🍉

@antizionistjew.bsky.social

#BREAKING | Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdraws from the match against Israel

619h ago

Quoting this

Timby28

I understand the point that the Israeli team represents their country not their government, but all the players have served in the government-directrd army. Ireland should not be playing them.

Dara O'Reilly

@daraor.bsky.social

Gavin Bazunu will be remembered like Stan Cullis, as the only righteous man. And his teammates, regrettably, will be remembered like Stan Cullis' teammates in 1938.

334h ago

Alan Dunne

@aldunne.eurosky.social

think the Irish public has a right to know what went on inside that room. if it's good enough to name and shame Gavin Bazunu I want to know which players led the calls to play. I want to know the facts about what (if any) external parties were involved

305h ago

The Athletic | Football

@theathleticfc.bsky.social

Bazunu's announcement follows a lengthy team meeting on Saturday, in which the majority of Ireland players voted to fulfill the fixture. www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...

362h ago

Hans LeJeune5

What a man! #bazunu #palestine #israel

Plu_Perfect2

Maith an fear. Thank you Gavin

TotaGoal1

Bonne info, ça fait plaisir à lire.

Fiona Murphy

@fcemurphy.bsky.social

If Israel is commending you your definitely doing something wrong #stopthegame #fai #coybig #speirgorm www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer... www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer...

193h ago

Daryl Feehely

@darylfeehely.com

"..my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong" The fact that this isn't the personal, professional, international, and universal opinion across the world shows how much of a farce our institutions & govs really are when tested. Well done Gavin Bazunu. #StopTheGame

162h ago

Dean Van Nguyen

@deanvannguyen.bsky.social

I’m so proud of Gavin Bazunu. He’s provided a yardstick for courage that his so-called teammates will eternally be judged as failing to live up to

211h ago

Igor Mortis

@munizreplacement.bsky.social

The comments left for Gavin Bazunu on his Instagram. The man standing up against genocide and making Ireland proud. 🥹🇵🇸

144h ago

Quoting this

Leo ᚑ ᚄᚓᚐᚉᚆᚅᚐᚄᚐᚔᚌᚆ11

I’m so proud of Gavin and so disgusted by the FAI. Fuck those spineless pricks.

Emma Rua 5

#SpéirGorm #StopTheGame #SaoirseDonPhailistín 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸

The Irish Times

@irishtimes.com

‘It would be wrong to participate’: Gavin Bazunu on decision to withdraw from squad for Israel match

172h ago

Quoting this

Peter Coles 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇮🇪17

He's done the right thing according to his conscience. If only more people did that.

Nathan Kalman-Lamb

@nkalamb.bsky.social

Do the Irish players really stand by a decision explicitly endorsed by Israel? Is that the legacy that they—sans Gavin Bazunu, the legend—choose? We will remember.

What pleases us today, is that football has won. The separation between football and politics must be maintained; any other approach spells chaos and a dangerous slide in a slippery slope, leading to disastrous consequences for the game we all love. The Irish Football Association and the national team players did the right thing by recognizing this —even if it took a bit longer then it should. Yet, its Better late than never.

The ones who have certainly lost today are those who wanted to intimidate, to separate and to turn the football pitch into a political arena. UEFA, the IFA and the @IrelandFootball stood strong together to prevent it.
As the host association, we are proud that the opening whistle will blow tomorrow at 20:45, and may the better team win on the field of play. Hoping we'll be on the winning side of Corse, and Please don't hold it against us.

Flags will be raised, anthems will be played, and the players and coaches of both teams will have the opportunity to shake hands and respect each other. Defiantly from our side, as always. Although the phrase doesn't originate in Hebrew, we are still happy to say: Let's play ball!

174h ago

Dr. Nick Posegay7

Absurd walkback for 2026: "Asked by the Israeli media if he regrets saying Israel are committing 'genocide' in Gaza, Hallgrímsson replied: 'I used a strong word definitely and the wrong word for me to use.'"

☔️⚡️Emily Cross 💜🌛

@emilycross.bsky.social

Well Israel is happy. "The separation between football & politics must be maintained ... a slippery slope leading to consequences...The Irish football association & the national team players did the right thing by recognising this" Well done lads 🤬 www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer...

95h ago

Bébhinn Nic Liam 2

No separation for the ex-captain of the Palestinian women’s football team who was seized and now languishes in an Israeli jail.

Quoting this

Jo Ní Ghiolla Shúiligh10

“Asked by the Israeli media if he regrets saying Israel are committing “genocide” in Gaza, Hallgrímsson replied: “I used a strong word definitely and the wrong word for me to use.”” Playing the game is one thing, playing down what’s happening is another. He should be ashamed of himself.

3 sources

nytimes.comRepublic of Ireland’s Gavin Bazunu withdraws from Israel game – ‘It would be wrong to participate’rte.ieBazunu: 'I feel it would be wrong to participate'irishtimes.com‘It would be wrong to participate’: Gavin Bazunu on decision to withdraw from squad for Israel match

Justin Verlander exits mound for final MLB start, embraced by daughtersports Gavin Bazunu withdraws from Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Israel matchsports Premier League clubs seek legal advice after Manchester City guilty verdictsports FIA opens probes into Red Bull and Williams after Azerbaijan GPsports

Gavin Bazunu withdraws from Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Israel match

Related